New Delhi: In a moment that has sent ripples through the cricketing world, Virat Kohli has finally announced his retirement from Test cricket today, May 12, 2025. The decision marks the end of an illustrious red-ball journey for the former India skipper, bringing an end to a remarkable 14-year career.
The 36-year-old made the announcement ahead of India’s five-match test series against England, which is set to begin on May 20. He shared the news through his Instagram handle, the caption of the same read, “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life.”
He added, “There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever. As I step away from this format, it’s not easy, but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for. I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude – for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way.”
Virat Kohli’s numbers
Kohli’s departure from the longest format comes after a remarkable career where he redefined fitness standards and aggressive captaincy in Test cricket. He made his debut in 2011 and isn’t as old as some of the legends who have continued playing before him. He is yet to cross the 10,000 mark, but he felt it’s the right time to retire from the format. He has played 123 Test matches, amassing 9230 runs at an impressive average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He is retiring as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Test behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921), Rahul Dravid (13,265) and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122).
In a stellar 14-year-long career, his leadership saw India reach the pinnacle of the Test rankings and achieve historic series victories overseas. Under his captaincy, India won 40 matches out of 68, including India’s memorable win in Australia as they beat the Aussies 2-1 in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time on their soil. He led the Indian team to No.1 rank in Test cricket.
Kohli became the most successful Indian batter between 2010 and 2019. He was the third-highest Test run-getter in that period, scoring 7202 runs at an average of 54.97 and 27 centuries, but saw a drastic dip in his form post COViD in 2028, scoring just three centuries and nine fifties in 68 innings on an average of 30.72. He started the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a century against Australia in Perth, but his tour ended on a horror note with repeated caught-behind dismissals, scoring just 193 runs.
Cricket superstar Virat Kohli has decided to pull the curtains down on a glittering 14-year-long Test career, during which he scored 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
